Quick Details
Our most popular multi-day tour, the Aialik Overnight Special combines a wildlife boat tour through Kenai Fjords National Park with the opportunity to spend two days exploring the tidewater glaciers, wildlife, and coves throughout Aialik Bay. We’ll set up camp on the beach where the water taxi drops us off, so packing and planning for this trip is easy. We have exclusive rights to camp on this beach, so once the day trippers head home we will have the entire northern part of Aialik Bay to ourselves. One day we’ll paddle to Aialik Glacier, the largest and most actively calving tidewater glacier in the National Park. Tide and weather dependent, we’ll spend our other day visiting Pederson Glacier through a maze of tidal channels or check out the dramatic granite walls and waterfalls of Abra Cove. This trip offers guests solitude, adventure, and an opportunity to be fully immersed in Aialik Bay.
We will host a mandatory pre-trip meeting the night before your trip at 7 pm at our kayak shop in downtown Seward. This is a great opportunity to meet your guide and other guests on the tour, discuss bear and ice safety, go over the itinerary, weather conditions, and get any last minute questions answered. We will meet the following morning at 7 am at the kayak shop, then head to the small boat harbor to meet the water taxi by 7:45 am.
We will have about 2+ hours on the wildlife boat tour out to Aialik Bay, and often we’ll encounter whales, sea lions, mountain goats, sea otters, and other wildlife along the way. A more purposeful way to travel than a large tour boat ride, the water taxi we use fits just 24 guests and provides an intimate experience with your guide by your side. Learn all about the area, the wildlife you see, and hear great Alaskan stories while you pass the day alongside people filled with local knowledge and experience.
The next two days will be full of adventure as we visit Aialik Glacier and either Pederson Glacier or Abra Cove. We’ll paddle towards Aialik Glacier, where harbor seals and sea otters often congregate around the ice chunks, as they drift and bob in front of the glacier. Black bears can sometimes be seen walking the beaches or digging for grubs on the hillsides. When the wind and weather are calm, we are able to enjoy lunch in the kayaks sitting in front of Aialik Glacier, taking in the sweeping views across the glacier’s face. We’ll relax in the evening and enjoy a delicious, homemade meal back at our exclusive campsite while we take in the stunning views around us.
The other day may be spent paddling to Pederson Glacier through a series of tidewater lagoons. The lower lagoon is home to sea otters, harbor seals, black bears, and birds of all sorts. The upper lagoon, bringing Pederson Glacier into sight, provides us with an opportunity to view a previously expansive tidewater glacier that has rapidly retreated in the past decade to reveal a changing landscape. Depending on tide, weather, and water conditions, we may instead visit the high granite walls and waterfalls of Abra Cove. The towering cliffs create a humbling amphitheater, which we’ll access via kayak. After two full days of kayaking and adventure, the water taxi will pick us up where they dropped us off, and the ride home will be another opportunity to watch for whales and wildlife!
Having the time to visit two very different glaciers in just two days makes this one of our most popular trips. The overnight also affords us the chance to experience Aialik Bay and its glaciers at quieter times during the day, which gives the trip a true sense of wildness and tranquility.
We’ve been fortunate to work with our local water taxi partner, Weather Permitting, for over 20 years! Their captains are the most experienced in Seward, and their vessels are all landing crafts that have been purpose-built for wildlife viewing and kayaking tours. Their vessels comfortably fit between 18 and 24 guests. Their double-catamaran hulls provide a balanced, smooth ride and are perfect for coastal Alaska. Sit inside the heated cabin, or lounge on the covered back deck’s bench.
Weather Permitting operates a total of three water taxi vessels, which offers us flexibility and back up options, should a vessel need maintenance or have schedule conflicts. No other water taxi company in Seward has this level of infrastructure or flexibility when it comes to vessels available. We are incredibly grateful to be working with this experienced, professional water taxi.
Seward is located in the northern tip of the largest coastal rainforest in the world, and we see a lot of rainy days here. Our tours run rain or shine, so we ask you to wear synthetic layers of clothing, because cotton (including jeans) get really cold if they get wet. We will not allow cotton or jeans on a multi- day trip as staying warm is a safety concern when in the backcountry. Synthetic and or wool clothing is a must.
We also require you to have a waterproof rain jacket and rain pants, as this is a multi-day tour in a potentially very cold and wet environment. If you do not have your own rain gear, we offer high quality, commercial grade rain jackets and pants for you to borrow at no extra cost. If your Alaska vacation includes any outdoor activities, we strongly advise purchasing your own rain gear for your trip. You’ll no doubt need both a rain jacket and rain pants throughout your time in Alaska.
Please wear footwear that you’re comfortable walking in, will keep you warm, and you don’t mind potentially getting a bit wet (closed-toe water shoes, running shoes, and hiking boots are all fine options). We have rubber boots to lend if needed, but these don’t insulate as well and we’ve found people are most comfortable in their own shoes. Your guide will launch and land your kayaks from shore and will work hard throughout the day to keep your feet warm and dry. A pair of crocs, running shoes or other low profile comfortable shoe can also be brought as a camp shoe.
We also provide pogies (neoprene mitts for your hands while kayaking) which will keep your hands warm and comfortable while you’re out there. You’ll want to be sure to have your own reusable (non-disposable) water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
You will receive a trip-specific packing list upon booking, which will go into great detail about what else to bring. Keep an eye out for it in your confirmation email!
For all tours without a water taxi (Resurrection Bay Half Day Tours and Caines Head Day Trips), guests will receive a full refund for cancellations made more than 1 week prior to your trip date*. Within 1 week, your trip fees are nonrefundable.
For all tours with a water taxi (Fox Island Day Trips, Aialik Glacier Day Trips, and all Multi Day Camping Trips), cancellation fees are as follows:
If you cancel 15-30 days prior to your scheduled trip, we will charge the card on file 20% of the total invoice.
If you cancel 8-14 days prior to your scheduled trip, we will charge the card on file 50% of the total invoice.
If you cancel 0-7 days prior to your scheduled trip, we will charge the card on file the entire amount of your invoice.
*Full refunds include: trip fees, add ons, and taxes & fees, minus $10 per person booking fees for all half & full day trips & $25 per person booking fees for multi-day trips*
For more information regarding our cancellation policies, click here.
We strongly advise purchasing a travel protection plan (see Travel Insurance below).
Why is travel insurance so important?
In today’s dynamic travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, a sudden sickness or injury, or even baggage loss could impact your travel plans. Cancellation fees can range up to 100% of the trip cost, depending on the date and particular trip for which you’ve been holding spaces. For your convenience, we’ve partnered with GoReady Travel Insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For more information on available plans, click here.